From ankle sprains and ACL tears to finger and wrist injuries, netball can place significant demands on the body. Discover the most common netball injuries, how to reduce your risk and how Welbeck can support your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Whether you play in an after-work social league or compete at international level, netball is a rewarding way to keep active. As well as supporting cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance and coordination, training and matches offer a valuable chance to socialise, work as a team, and switch off from day-to-day pressures.
However, the jumping, sudden stops, quick changes of direction, and close contest for the ball can place significant demands on the body. Injuries are more likely when players don’t warm up properly, increase workload too quickly, or don’t give their bodies enough time to recover.
Understanding the injuries commonly associated with netball — and taking sensible steps to reduce your risk — can help you stay on court for longer.
Netball injuries often affect the ankles and knees, although fingers and wrists are also vulnerable when catching, intercepting, or falling. Some injuries happen suddenly during a game, while others develop gradually when repeated jumping and running overload the same tissues.
An ankle sprain occurs when one or more of the ligaments supporting the ankle are overstretched or torn. In netball, this often happens when the foot rolls inwards after landing from a jump, changing direction, or stepping on another player's foot. Previous ankle sprains can leave the joint more vulnerable to further injury, particularly if strength and balance have not been fully restored.
Symptoms can include:
pain and tenderness around the ankle
swelling
bruising
difficulty putting weight on the affected foot
stiffness or reduced movement
a feeling that the ankle is unstable or may give way
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the main ligaments that stabilise the knee. It can be stretched or torn when a player lands awkwardly, stops suddenly or changes direction while the foot is planted. An ACL tear or other injury can also occur following direct contact with another player, but many happen without a collision.
Symptoms can include:
a popping sensation or sound at the time of injury
sudden pain in the knee
rapid swelling
difficulty continuing to play or put weight on the leg
loss of movement
a feeling that the knee is unstable or gives way
Jumper's knee, also known as patellar tendinopathy, affects the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shinbone. Unlike a sudden sprain or tear, it usually develops gradually. Repeated jumping, landing, accelerating, and decelerating can overload the tendon, particularly when training volume or intensity rises faster than the body can adapt.
Symptoms can include:
pain and tenderness just below the kneecap
pain when jumping, landing, running, or using stairs
stiffness after rest or at the beginning of activity
pain that becomes more noticeable as training continues or afterwards
reduced power or confidence when jumping
Fingers can be injured when a fast-moving ball strikes the fingertips, forces a finger backwards, or catches it at an awkward angle. A strain affects a muscle or tendon, while the ligaments around a finger joint may also be sprained. A fracture occurs when one of the finger bones breaks. Similar incidents can cause different injuries, so it’s not always possible to tell a soft-tissue injury from a break based on appearance alone.
Symptoms can include:
pain and tenderness
swelling or bruising
difficulty bending, straightening, or using the finger
weakness when gripping or catching
a finger that looks misshapen or sits at an unusual angle
numbness or altered sensation
A wrist sprain is an injury to the ligaments that support the wrist joint. In netball, it most commonly happens when a player puts out a hand to break a fall, forcing the wrist beyond its normal range of movement. It may also occur when the wrist is bent back by forceful contact with the ball or another player.
Symptoms can include:
pain around the wrist, especially with movement or gripping
swelling
bruising
tenderness
reduced movement or weakness
a popping or tearing sensation at the time of injury
Not every injury can be avoided, but good preparation, conditioning, and recovery can reduce your risk:
warm up before every training session and match – include light aerobic activity, dynamic movements, and netball-specific drills that prepare you to run, jump, land, and change direction
build strength and control – regular exercises for the calves, quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and core can help support the knees and ankles. Include balance, landing, and change-of-direction drills
increase your workload gradually – avoid sudden jumps in the number, length, or intensity of training sessions and matches, particularly when returning after a break
practise safe landing and movement technique – learning to land with control and keep the knee aligned when stopping, turning, and changing direction can reduce unnecessary strain on the joints
wear suitable netball shoes – choose well-fitting footwear that provides appropriate grip, cushioning, and lateral support, and replace shoes when they become worn
prioritise rest and recovery – allow enough time between demanding sessions, sleep well, and avoid repeatedly playing through fatigue
act on pain or instability early – persistent pain, swelling, weakness, or a joint that gives way should not be ignored. Seek professional advice before the problem worsens, or you return to full-intensity play
If pain, swelling or instability is stopping you from playing, or an injury is not improving as expected, an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards recovery.
At Welbeck, consultants across orthopaedics, pain medicine, and sports medicine each bring individual areas of expertise. Working together, they diagnose and treat the full range of sports injuries, from acute ligament damage and fractures to persistent tendon and joint pain, with a focus on achieving outstanding outcomes.
We provide MRI scans in-house where appropriate, enabling detailed imaging of structures such as ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bone as part of your assessment. Our specialists also have connections to an established network of external physiotherapists, helping to support a coordinated recovery and a safe return to netball.
If you’re concerned about a netball injury, book an appointment with a Welbeck specialist today.
